By Francis Quamina Farrier

THE weather was terrible in Washington, DC, on Friday, December 15, 2017. Earlier in the day, there was snow, then later rain and certainly some bone-chilling cold temperatures. However, when I arrived at the Guyana Embassy as a guest of the High Commissioner and staff, it was as though I had stepped into my native Republic of Guyana, located just above the equator, in warm sunny South America.

As a tropical man, I am not that much a lover of the snow and cold. However, I have survived over the years whenever I just had to be in freezing temperatures, be it in North America or in Europe.

The first thing which attracted my attention immediately after entering the Embassy building in Washington, DC, at that 2017 Christmas fete, was the obvious social cohesion of the gathering. Here were Guyanese of all persuasions, mingling together – eating, drinking, dancing, chatting and most importantly, respecting and showing love for one another. It was a reflection of what Guyana is well-known for – our hospitality, and what should be a principal national objective. A national policy has already been enshrined in Guyana’s National Pledge: “…to love my fellow citizens…”

This annual Christmas fete at the Guyana Embassy in Washington, DC, has been held for many years now and is usually sponsored by a Guyanese Corporate Citizen. For the past 10 years, it has been sponsored by the Accounting and Security Firm, Federal Management Systems, Inc., which has a branch in Guyana. Headed by Buxton-born Aubrey Stephenson, AA, Federal Management Systems has sponsored many Guyanese projects in the USA, as well as in Guyana. There is an upcoming ceremony in Georgetown shortly, at which the company’s President and CEO Aubrey Stephenson will officiate.

In his welcome address to the guests, Ambassador Dr Riyad Insanally thanked his fellow Guyanese for attending the function and wished them all the best for theNew Year, 2018. Among the guests were a few Guyanese who were honoured for their special contributions in one field or another over the years. They included Dr. Doobay and Aubrey Stephenson.

The annual Christmas fete at the Guyana Embassy in Washington, DC, tends to bring out the best in Guyanese culture; in the music played, the foods and drinks served and most importantly, the well-known Guyanese hospitality.

Guests interact with each other in the traditional Guyanese way; hugs, handshakes, kisses and genuine smiles! For the better part, conversations are void of depressing topics. A lot discussed is pleasant banter and reminiscing about how life was like, back in the home country during their growing-up years – some of those years, especially before independence, when “Life was slow, and oh, so mellow”.

Conversations would also be about Christmastime in Guyana. Some boldly say that there is no Christmas like Christmas in Guyana. The masquerade bands on the streets in particular, which are never seen in that cold Washington, DC/Maryland/Virginia area of the United States, where most of those attending the fete reside.

I observed the attire of those in attendance and noted that most of the men wore formal suit and tie. Nonetheless, there were those who were attired in more casual, but warm outfits. The ladies, as would be expected, were in some of the latest fashion. While some of the designs were moderate, I observed a few which were a little daring, if you will. The gathering brought out some of the best in the Guyanese personality. It was indeed, a grand happy Guyanese gathering.

Much of the activities were recorded on camera phones. Some were by way of selfies, others by the traditional way. But there were literally scores of photographs taken that night for the family album and a few for the media, and published along with this article.
Yes, it was a grand and entertaining 2017 Christmas fete at the Guyana Embassy in Washington, DC, but one has to admit, as was said so many times during the event, “There’s no Christmas, like a Guyanese Christmas”.